IACHR Extends Precautionary Measures in Favor of Francis Valdivia Machado and Her Family in Nicaragua

August 11, 2021

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 60/2021 on August 7, 2021, to extend precautionary measures in favor of Francis Valdivia Machado and her family in Nicaragua, in the belief that they face a serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to their rights. According to her representatives, Francis Valdivia Machado—president of the group Asociación Madres de Abril (AMA)—and her family are being followed and subjected to other forms of intimidation and attacks by police officers and government supporters in Nicaragua's current context.

The IACHR had previously granted precautionary measures in favor of Elizabeth Velásquez, Josefa Esterlina Meza, Tamara Patricia Morazán Martínez, and Lizeth de los Ángeles Dávila Orozco, all of them also members of the AMA, through resolutions 4/2020 and 51/2020.

The Commission noted that the allegations showed particular hostility toward Valdivia Machado, reportedly linked to her work at the AMA. The Commission further stressed with explicit concern that Valdivia Machado had not only been subjected to harassment and intimidation, but also to recent attacks. The State responded to the IACHR's request for information. However, the Commission noted that the information that was provided did not enable an assessment of how the State was taking measures to mitigate the conditions alleged by Valdivia Machado and her family.

Consequently, in keeping with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the Commission asked the Nicaraguan State to adopt any measures necessary to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of Francis Valdivia Machado and her family. In particular, the State must: a) ensure that beneficiaries' rights are respected—in compliance with the standards of international human rights law—both by officers of the State and with regard to dangerous acts that might be perpetrated by third parties; b) come to an agreement with beneficiaries and their representatives regarding any measures that need to be adopted; and c) report on any actions taken to investigate the alleged events that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure, to prevent such events from happening again in the future.

The fact that this precautionary measure has been granted and its adoption by the State do not entail a prejudgment on a potential petition that may be filed before the inter-American system to allege violations of rights protected by the applicable instruments.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 210/21

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